It is designed not to splatter (deep bell) but on high speeds it may still splatter small droplets nearby, depending on what you are mixing, bowl shape, how full etc., but it doesn't make anything like the mess other blenders I have used do. Rather small diff between consecutive and even across the range of speeds on the dial, but big diff between the high and low setting on the handle, which is fine I guess. I find this blender easy to hold and use buttons... have used other brands that are, by contrast, really a pain, put you in a tiring position, etc. Cleaning it... OK, you will never see if you got all the gook off the underside of the blade, but it is pretty easy to reach under there with a drinking straw brush or some other such implement, and the rest of the bell is very visible and easy to clean. Nothing in the way of cracks or gaskets in there where you can imagine bacteria are going to be setting up shop. This blender cost no more than the worse ones that I am describing... I think it is a good buy.